Production was initially scheduled to start by the end of 2013, and later postponed several times in order for the company to achieve Model S production targets and to focus on overseas rollouts.[4][5][6] As of July 2015[update], the company expected to begin deliveries "in two months".[7]

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Initially Tesla planned to start production by the end of 2013 and for deliveries to commence in 2014.[8] However, in February 2013, the company announced that production had been rescheduled to begin by late 2014 in order to focus "on a commitment to bring profitability to the company in 2013" and to achieve its production target of 20,000 Model S cars in 2013.[4][5][9] As of March 2013[update], Tesla's production target for the Model X was between 10,000 to 15,000 cars a year.[5] The prototype Tesla Model X had no side mirrors, instead having small cameras mounted on each side that displayed on the dashboard, but U.S. safety regulations were not ready, and the cameras were replaced with mirrors.[10][11]

In November 2013, Tesla said it expected to deliver the Model X in small numbers by end of 2014, with high volume production planned for the second quarter of 2015.[6] However, Tesla announced in February 2014 that in order to focus on overseas rollouts, the company planned to have production design Model X prototypes by the end of 2014 and would begin high volume deliveries for retail customers in the second quarter of 2015.[12] In November 2014 Tesla again delayed the start of deliveries to retail customers, and announced that Model X deliveries would begin in the third quarter of 2015,[1] while deliveries for new reservations are to begin in early 2016.[13] Among the reasons for delay are problems with the gullwing doors and cooling the motors when hauling trailers.[11]

The Model X will weigh about 10% more than the Model S and will share about 60% of its parts content. Tesla Motors expects to offer the Model X with a choice of two lithium-ion battery packs, rated at either 70 or 85 kW·h (the same choices available on the Model S),[3] and expects the performance model to be able to go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in about 3.1 seconds, outperforming many sports cars and the fastest SUVs as well.[14] The Model X's all-wheel drive system will use two motors (one for the front and the other for the rear wheels), unlike conventional AWD systems which only have one source of power.[14] The Model X was planned to be available in rear-wheel drive, but the release of rear-wheel drive models was cancelled and models will only be available in four-wheel drive.

The Model X features rear articulated (hinged) gull-wing doors marketed as falcon doors.[15] The doors open upward allowing the leading edge of the door to remain tucked close to the car. Tesla's website says the falcon-wing doors will make passenger egress easier. The Model X offers room for seven adults and their luggage in three rows of seating and two trunks, front and rear.[5]

The Model X is projected to offer an optional towbar. The availability of this was confirmed by Tesla's European communication manager in 2013, when asked by Norwegian TV2.[16] Even many hybrid cars lack this option, or are weight-restricted compared to their fossil-fueled counterparts.

The driving range of the Tesla X is expected to be between about 170 to 230 miles (270 to 365 kilometers) before a recharge is needed.[17]

Prices for the Model X have not been announced but Tesla started taking reservations for the Model X in February 2012.[18] The standard Model X requires a US$5,000 deposit, while the no longer offered Signature model required a US$40,000 deposit.[5] More than 20,000 Model Xs have been reserved,[19] and the company said in May 2015 that it expects the first deliveries to customers to be made in September 2015.[20]